Toddler speech disorders are common and sometimes even a little cute. However, the under-threes often have difficulty effectively moving their jaw, lips, and tongue, and this needs to be carefully monitored. Their speech disorders range from mild to more severe conditions that may continue to bother them when they’re at school and later. Let’s look at some of these disorders in more detail.

The most common are speech-sound disorders. Examples include difficulty pronouncing certain sounds or saying the correct word. A child may skip sounds without knowing it or swap one sound for another, making their words difficult to understand. Toddlers with speech-sound disorders can be treated with sound therapy. The speech therapist will strive to help them move their jaw, lips, and tongue more accurately through various techniques.

Apraxia of speech impacts a child's ability to plan and coordinate the movements they need to speak properly. It may cause them to struggle when trying to move their jaw, lips, or tongue to accurately produce speech sounds that can be easily understood by others. Apraxia of speech is most often caused by neurological differences or developmental delays. Sufferers can learn to develop the motor planning and coordination skills necessary for speech production with the help of a specialist.

Stuttering is probably the disorder most of us will recognise. It is very common in toddlers. This disorder disrupts the flow of speech and can include the repetition of sounds, syllables, or words, as well as lengthy pauses or blocks. Genetics, environment, neurological differences, and even trauma can play a role in causing this disorder. A speech therapist can help your child learn techniques to improve fluency and reduce persistent stuttering. These sometimes include singing.

Toddlers who speak at an inappropriate volume or pitch or otherwise produce speech of unusual quality may have a voice disorder. These conditions are characterised by breathiness, hoarseness, or excessive tension in the vocal cords. Causes vary but often include speaking loudly, screaming, or overusing one’s voice. Problems with coughing, allergies, or infections can also alter your toddler’s voice. A speech therapist can help a child with a voice disorder develop healthy vocal habits and techniques to ameliorate their voice’s quality.

A toddler who shows difficulty understanding you, expressing themselves with language, or using the correct language for specific social situations may have a language disorder. Developmental delays, hearing loss, and neurological differences sometimes cause these. A speech therapist can help toddlers with language disorders develop language skills and improve their communication.

What are some common toddler speech disorders?

On Unii’s Toddler Speech Journey, we take a look at some common speech disorders.